Packaging stockings



Feb. 4, 1941, ER I I 2,230,559

' I PACKAGING STOCKINGS Filed Feb. :5, 193a 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 -Kennefl2Car/"fie!" INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYZ v Feb. 4, 1941. I 2,230,559

PACKAGING STOCKINGS Filed Feb. 3, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SHORT HEIGHT4'-|o'-s=2") 3 I: ;|8' z I y memummuem 5 25-5 55 m TALL (HEIGHT skid-d):IIO l0 I K (5. 71761% Cartier INVENTOR.

A T'TORNEY- Patented Feb. 4, 1941 PATENT OFFICE PACKAGING STOCKINGSKenneth Cartier, New

York, N. Y., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington,lDel., a corporation of Delaware Application February 3, 1938, SerialNo. 188,446

9 Claims.

This invention relates to the packaging of ladies stockings. Moreparticularly, it relates to the packaging and displaying of stockings insuch a manner that the length of the stockings is automaticallydetermined during the wrapping operation. This invention further relatesto a stocking package in which the length of the stockings is visuallyindicated, together with an explanation enabling a purchaser to selectstock- 10 ings the proper length for her particularstature.

Until very recently, ladies stockings have been selected almost entirelyon the basis of foot size. The leg dimensions of all the stockings havebeen designed to fit an average leg. Wide deviations 1 from this averagecaused the stockings when worn to have an unsightly appearance.

During the past several years certain manufacturers have attempted tocorrect this situation by making hosiery of different lengths and widthsto correspond to a, wide range of leg dimensions.

These efforts have been successful, but they have in turn created veryserious merchandising problems.

It has resulted in the demand by many women of a particular length hose.Very frequently, the choice is an arbitrary one resulting in a poor litand subsequent dissatisfaction. However, to satisfy this demand, manyretailers have been forced to have their sales people measure each pairof stockings until those of the requested length are found. This is avery inefiicient, time consuming, and expensive manual operationand-many mistakes are made due to the inexperience and carelessness ofthe clerks. Not only does this frequent handling tend to soil andwrinkle the stockings and cause snagging and other iniuries which renderthem unattractive or unsalable. but it also wastes the time of thecustomer and requires a large sales force.

Other customers insist on stretching the stockings before them toestimate the length or compare them with their legs. This handlingresults in damage-to the stockings with little suc cess in the selectionof the correct length.

To solve the difficulties of selection, many manufacturers have madesurveys and have determined the proper dimensions of hosiery to fitpersons of various heights based on the theory that leg length and widthbear a fixed relation, 50 on the average to height, or to thecombinations of height and weight, or at least that greater. selectionis possible. These manufacturers have then selected severallengths ofstockings tofit people of the several ranges of stature. While 53 themethods of classification vary among them-- selves, they all possess thecommon principle of providing several lengths of stockings toaccommodate various classes of persons.

To make these developments effective in the selection of the properstockings, it is necessary to provide the customer with some means ofiden- 3 tifying the correct class for her stature. Since height orweight is a fairly reliable criterion of the length stockings requiredand most women remember their height or weight more accurately thaninches of stocking length, they have been chosen in some instances asthe basis of selection.

It might be supposed that all that is necessary is to aflix to thestockings a price tag which gives the foot size and the leg lengtheither in inches or in terms of stature or height. Actually, however,when stockings are manufactured they do not measure. out to an exactlength in inches, but some variation occurs within a given range.Consequently, there is the possibility of an enormous inventory of goodson the dealers shelf. It is better, therefore, to indicate the length bya range rather than by precise figures. This in turn permits a customersome further discrimination. For example, if a person is 5' 10" inheight and somewhat over average weight for that height, with thepresumption that the leg width of the stocking should be somewhatlarger, it is well for her to select a stocking marked 5' 10", thelength of which is in the upper part of the range. The transversestretching of the stocking will reduce its effective length.

It is desirable to have a means, integral with the packaging of thestocking, which-will determine and indicate the desired stockingswithout handling. To create purchaser confidence that she is making thecorrect selection, the basis of selection; 1. e., height or weightshould be combined with the visual indication of the desired lengthstocking. To be further effective, this means should enhance theappearance of the stockings, it should protect them from injury andshould be economical.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a satisfactorymeans for packaging stockings which will correctly indicate the lengthof stockings as related to the height of the purchaser whereby toeliminate the handling or measuring of stockings in selling the same tocustomers.

It is another object of this invention to-provide a stocking packagewhich will indicate the length of the stockings relative to the heightof the wearer, without necessitating removal of the stockings from thepackage.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The objects of the invention may be accomplished by anchoring the feetof the stockings to a form or stiifener in a predetermined positionwhich compensates for differences in foot length, and winding thestockings on this stiffener, the stiffener having a predeterminedlength. The effective length of the stockings above the feet is thenindicated visually by observing the portion of the hose remaining afterthe last full turn about the stiffener.

The details of the invention and the advantages thereof will become moreclearly apparent by reference to the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanying illustrations of several illustrativespecific embodiments thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view showing a stiffener and a pair ofstockings anchored thereto;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view showing the stiffener with thestockings wound on it and the tops projecting beyond the last full turn;

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view'showing the combination of thestiffener, stockings, and transparent envelope bearing printed scales;

Figures 4 and 5 are front elevational views showing stifieners ofdifferent shapes and with various anchoring means;

Figure 6 is a rear elevational view showing another system of scales foruse with a different classification of lengths.

In Figure 1 is shown a rectangular stiffener I made of heavy soft paper,cardboard, or other material which will not snag or injure thestockings. This card may be colored, lithographed, bear advertisingmatter, directions for washing, etc. In the central portion of thisstiffener are shown two diagonal die cuts 2, placed approximatelyone-half inch apart. In the practice of the invention the reinforced toeportions 3 of each pair of stockings are inserted in these slots andfolded, positively positioning, the stockings on the stifiener. Byfolding the stockings in this manner, the edge of the stiffener is atright angles to the lengthof the stocking.

To compensate for the variation of foot size the toes are drawn throughthese die cuts varying distances so that the position of the joiningpoint" always bears the same relationship .to the edge of the stiffener.(The joining point" marks the beginning of the leg of the stocking.)This placement may be facilitated by printing on the stiffener theproper position for stockings of different foot sizes.

After anchoring the feet of the stockings in the proper position on thestiffener, they may be wound or reeled on the stiffener, taking care tomaintain an even tension during the winding op- V in three lengths suchas rive-28% inches for length, they will overlap beyond the last fullturn, approximately -1 /2 inches, 3-4 inches and 6-7 inches,respectively, neglecting the length used in turning over the edge of thestiffener.

The stockings may be secured in their wound position by clips, bands,tabs, etc., but these are unnecessary in the preferred embodiment of theinvention, since they are next inserted with the stiffener in anenvelope or bag of a transparent, non-fibrous, cellulosic material suchas regenerated cellulose, cellulose derivatives, etc. This envelope mayhave on its face the usual brand name, foot size, description and otheradvertising matter common to such packages. On the back is printed aseries of. arrows in predetermined relationship to serve as a scale. Oneform of this bag is shown in Figure 3 in which 8 is the back of atransparent bag made of regenerated cellulose. Through this. envelope,which has a central seam 9 and a sealed bottom flap Ill, can be seen thestiffener I. On this stifiener is shown a full turn of the hose 6 andthe partial turn over overlap I. At I2, l3, and I4 are printed a seriesof arrows. The tops of the hose will fall between one set of thesearrows, dependent on their length.

Many manufacturers knit into the top of a stocking a bright colored, dyeresisting yarn. This forms a line of contrasting color definitelyestablishing the top of the stocking to ones vision.

This thread may be placed at the junction of the top of the leg portionand the elastic top of the hose, but it is preferred to have it placedat the extreme top of the stocking. The arrows are so placed that thisbright line falls between the proper set for each length as shown at II.This then serves to visually identify the effective length of thestocking.

In the region opposite the arrows at i! is then printed a statement suchas:

"If you are 4'10" to 5'2" in height, the red line on the hosiery showingbetween these arrows means that this hosiery is of the correct length inyour proper foot size.

Similar inscriptions opposite the arrows at II and I4 would indicatethat the stockings were of th roper length for heights of 52 /z' to 5/2" and 5'6" to 6'0", respectively. Some manufacturers would prefer tosubstitute ranges of weight for these ranges of height. Space at thebottom could be used for additional advertising.

By packaging the stockings in this manner, not only has the range oflength been mechanically determined and visually indicated, but theyhave been positively positioned on the stiffener so that they will notbe disarra'nged, stretched or wrinkled. By enclosing them in a printedenvelope of transparent material, they have been provided with acooperating reference scale and basis of selection as well as aprotection to keep the hose from wrinkling, soiling, snagging or otherdamage. The anchoring of the stockings to the stiffener and the severalturns about it tend to prevent any shrinkage after packaging caused byThis condition is further changes in humidity. improved by using a bagor envelope of a moistureproof material such as that variety of coatedregenerated cellulose sheeting described in U. 8. Patent No. 1,737,187.This has long been a problem since the stocking often changes slightlyin length after leavin the factory, thus making it impossible to ticketstockings with their length when they leave the factory.

'A rectangular stiffener, such as shown in Flg are l is preferably madeto measure about 6% by 9 inches, since this is thesize of the hosierypackages commonly accepted by the trade, and the stocking is preferablywound about the longer side; however, it is obvious that it could bewound around the shorter side; This stiffener may be square. stiffenermight be circular, elliptical or of any attractive shape, provided thatthere are two opposite, parallel edges over which the hose may be woundas illustrated at 5 in Figure 4). In some cases it may be desirable toindent the edges over which the stockings are wound, to prevent anyslippage after winding, as is shown at 4 in Figure 5. v

In Figure 1 the feet of the stockings are anchored to the stiffener bydrawing the toes through two parallel die guts of the same length. It isapparent that these die cuts may be of any convenient length at anyconvenient distance apart and they may be inclined at any angle relativeto the edges of the stiffener. or to each other. There need not be twoouts; there may be only one, in which case the toes of the stockingswill project through on the opposite side of the stiffener or there maybe more than two cuts, in which case the toes of the stockings would belaced through the cuts to more eifectively anchor them.

Similarly, these cuts need not be straight lines.

They may be one or a plurality of concentric or non-concentric, circulararcs, elliptical arcs. crescent-shaped cuts. tabs or any form orcombina-- tion of cuts which will permit the stockings to be securelyanchored to the stiffener. Examples of other types of cuts are shown at2 in Figures 4 and 5. It is also possible to position the stockingswithout any cuts in the stiffener. This could be done in a variety ofways such as by clips or elastic bands, or by strings or bands attachedto the stiffener at either edge under which the toes of the stockingscould be inserted directly or by means of an adhesive label or tab.

While the utility of the brightly colored thread at the junction of theleg portion and elastic top portion of the stocking toindicate thelength of the stockings by viewing them through the transparent scaleshas been described, this thread could be placed in any intermediateposition in the top of the stockings. Similarly, the color, position,and nature of this stripe may be used to identify the, products of acertain manufacturer or to identify various grades of stockings of thesame manufacturer. v

This brightly colored thread is not essential in the practice of theinvention. The top of the stocking may be viewed directly or it can beindicated by the position of an elastic or inelastic I band or tapeencircling the stockings and stiffstar-shaped, diamond-shaped, etc.

each range of lengths in any of the modifications discussed. These mightbe rectangular or square, triangular or any other polygonal shape, suchas Similarly, they might be circular, elliptical or of any conceivableshape in which the top of the stocking is visible through a panel ofconfined area and location.

If it is desired to use a transparent envelope (Similarly, the generalshape of the which is not printed, a sheet of paper, cardboard or othermaterial having apertures cut in it through which the top of thestocking could be observed may be inserted between the stocking and theenvelope. This sheet would'then bear the printing and explanation of thescales. The envelopewould then serve to positively position this insertrelative to the stockings and stiffener and to protect the stocking fromdamage. The scales could, if desired be printed directly on thestiffener, for example, on the margin thereof. The stiffener could alsobe provided with a flap or sheet to be folded over or around the woundstocking.

Similarly, a combination of these may be used; namely, a bag or envelopeof. opaque material with transparent windows. The opaque portions of thebag could bear the printing and the windows situated at the position ofthe top of each class of hose could be used to identify the length.

While the preferred use of transparent envelopes, bags or windows madefrom non-fibrous, cel

lulosic materials such as regenerated cellulose. cellulose esters suchas cellulose acetate, etc., cellulose ethers such as methyl, ethyl, orbenzyl cellulose or other derivatives of cellulose, have been described,it is obvious that any transparent sheeting could be used. Sheeting madefrom vinyl resins, mixed polymers of vinyl chloride and acetate,gelatin, casein, rubber hydrohalides, etc. might be used. Although forobvious reasons, the material used should be quite transparent, it isalso possible to use sheeting which is somewhat translucent as long asit is possible to discern the top of the stocking through it. Glassinepaper, waxed paper and other papers which have been treated to increasetheir transparency might be used as well as verythin tissue papers andother very thin sheets of material which are sumciently translucent.

' In Figure 3 the combination of the stockings, stiifener, envelope andscales where three different lengths of hose are made for all foot sizesis shown. If more lengths are desired, additional scales might be added.If the range extends beyond the length of the card, additional scalescould also be printed on the opposite side,'al1owing for this additionalturn. While the scales have been described as printed on the back of thebag, they could be printed on the front just as efllciently.

obtained if foot size as well as weight and height.

is considered. There is some evidence that the circumference of the legbears a relationship to foot size. The efiective length of a stockingvaries somewhat with the size of the leg since a larger leg will take upsome of the length. Consequently, these manufacturers make differentlengths of stockings for each ofcertain classes of foot sizes. Forexample, size 9 short, medium and long lengths may be 27, 30 and 33inches long, respectively, while the three lengths for size 9 might be28, 31, and 34- inches long, respectively. It is obvious under thesecircumstances that three areas indicated previously would not besuitablesince there would be overlapping, and it is undesirable for amanufacturerto use more than one variety of bag. For this reasona designof the type illustrated in Figure 6 might be substituted. In this case,three different sets of reference arrows are provided. This provides forthe overlapping of the lengths for the various foot sizes. Oppositethese panels could be printed instructions or statements similar tothose mentioned above as to the significance of the appearance of thetop of the stocking in a certain area, but relating also to thevariation of foot size.

Since many changes and modifications of the details above set forth canbe made without departing from the nature and spirit of the invention,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited except asset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A stocking package comprising a stiffener in sheet form, a stockingof given length wound about two opposite edges thereof a predeterminednumber of times, means for anchoring one end of said stocking to saidstiffener so that a predetermined place of reference on the stocking isassociated with a predetermined place of reference on the stiffener, theother end of said stocking after said stocking is wound about thestiffener the predetermined number of times, terminating between theaforementioned edges of the stiffener about which said stocking waswound, a scale on an element of the package cooperating with the saidother end of the stocking to designate the length of said stocking, andan envelope enclosing said stocking and stiffener, said' envelopeexposing to view said other end of said stocking and its position withrespect to the said scale.

2. The package of claim 1 when the stiffener is slotted to receive thestocking end and to provide the said anchoring means.

3. In a stocking package, a stiffener about.

which a stocking of a given length may be folded a predetermined numberof times, with the end of the stocking overlapping on one side of saidstiffener, means for anchoring said stocking to said stiffener so that apredetermined place of reference on the stocking is located on apredetermined place of reference on the stiffener, transparent meansthrough which the overlapping end of said stocking is visible, and ascale on said transparent means and cooperating with the top portion ofthe stocking to designate the length of said stocking.

4. In a stocking package, a stiffener about which a stocking of a givenlength may be folded a predetermined number of times, with the end ofthe stocking overlapping on one side of said stiffener, means foranchoring said stocking to said stiffener so that a predetermined placeof reference on the stocking is located on a predetermined place ofreference on the stiffener, transparent means through which theoverlapping end of said stocking is visible, and a scale on saidtransparent means and cooperating with the top portion of the stockingto designate the length of said stocking with relation to the height ofa wearer.

5. A package comprising a support, a folded stocking on the support witha predetermined place of reference on the stocking coinciding with apredetermined place of reference on the support and with the topoverlapping one side thereof and a transparent envelope of regeneratedcellulose enclosing the support and stocking, the said envelope having ascale thereon registering with the said overlapping stocking top-portionwhereby the length of the leg of the stocking is indicated.

6. A package comprising a stiffener, a stocking, and a transparentenvelope of regenerated cellulose enclosing the stiffener and thestocking, the said stiffener comprising a relatively stiff sheet ofmaterial, said stocking being folded about the stiffener with apredetermined place of reference on the stocking coinciding with apredetermined place of reference on the stiffener and with the topportion overlapping one side thereof the said stiffener having a slottherein through which the foot of the stocking extends for" anchoringthe stocking thereto, with th ed point in predetermined relationship t othe edge of the stiffener, said stiffener haying portions along oppositeedges removed to afford indentations to receive the folded stocking andto afford side extensions on the support for preventing the foldedstocking from slipping sideways, the said envelope having a scalethereon registering with the overlapping stocking. top portion wherebythe length of the leg of the stocking is indicated.

'7. A package comprising a cardboard stiffener of predetermined length,a stocking and a transparent regenerated cellulosic envelop enclosingthe same, the foot of the stocking being positioned on the stiffener ina predetermined position which compensates for differences in footlength, the stocking being wound about the stiffener lengthwise thereof,and a scale on an element of the package adjacent the portion of thestocking remaining after the last full turn about the stiffener, wherebythe effective length of the stocking above the foot may be visuallydetermined. v

8. A package comprising a cardboard stiifener of predetermined length, astocking and a transparent regenerated cellulosic envelop enclosing thesame, the foot of the stocking being anchored to the stiffener in apredetermined position which compensates for differences in foot length,the stocking being wound about the stiffener lengthwise thereof, and ascale on the envelop associated with the portion of the stockingremaining after the last full turn about the stiffener, whereby theeffective length of the stocking above the foot may be visuallydetermined.

9. A package comprising a cardboard stiffener of predetermined length, astocking and a transparent regenerated cellulosic envelop enclosing thesame, the foot of the stocking being located on the stiffener in apredetermined position which compensates for differences in foot length,the stocking being wound about the stiffener lengthwise thereof, and ascale printed on the envelop associated with the portion of the stockingremaining after the last full turn about the stiffener, whereby theeffective length of the stocking above the foot may be visuallydetermined.

KENNETH CARTIER.

